Free Ever Shade by Alexia Purdy Page B

stride.
    “I was just wondering. Why do they call this the haunted forest? What do you mean it has ghosts? Will we see any? Will they hurt anyone?” She fired her questions at him all at once.
    Ewan’s deep booming laughed echoed around them. The forest made no reply. “Slow down miss, won’t want to wake the dead would we? Nothing to fear now, there are ghosts and spirits aplenty here, hence the name. But since we will leave this forest for the Great Teleen caves before nightfall, we will mostly miss them. They can harm you, but only if you fear them and let them overwhelm your mind. So just ignore them, show no fear and stay calm, they will mostly leave you alone.” He grinned down at her.
    She liked him instantly. He was like a large teddy bear. At least he was nice; he made her feel warm and safe. “Do we have a long way to go to the caves?”
    “Hmm, well I’d say two to three hours journey, we will hit the hills first and then the incline to the mountains of the Teleen. They live in massive caves that run miles underground. You’ll be most impressed.” Ewan’s face stilled. He glanced at her, and his eyes intensified. “Miss Shade, may I ask a question,” he continued the trek forward, glancing forward only to assess each step.
    “Yes, of course Ewan, feel free.”
    “Are you alright with this, being the chosen one and all? Do you want to turn back yet?”
    Shade’s eyes widened as she stared at him. She was scared. She didn’t want to go, but how could she say no? Her voice failed to answer.
    “I thought so,” Ewan nodded, keeping in step with her, dodging the large tree trunks in their path. It was much easier to walk on the packed earth that was so dark and rich. The previous shrubs and plants they had to cut down were such a bother. The trees seemed to grow larger here too, flat out gigantic.
    “Ewan, I can’t say no, something just tells me I should be here. I don’t even know how to explain it. It is as if I’m being pulled involuntarily along for a ride I didn’t sign up for; but I cannot unwrap myself from it. Besides, maybe I might find out who my real father is and more about myself too. I do want to learn my fey powers, if I have any. That would be kinda cool. I have so many questions about things now and no answers yet; and I’m guessing this is the best way to find out.” She stared at the ground. She felt weary already, and they hadn’t even gone too far.
    Shade stopped in her tracks. The hair on her neck stood on end and a sense of being watched crept up her spine. Her eyes widened as they darted, glancing around them.
    “What’s wrong Shade, feel something?” Ewan stopped also, listening hard and signaling a full stop with his hand, at the group. Everyone crouched by the trees looked around, studied the woods and they were still. No sound, not even the birds chirping could be heard; the silence felt deafening, heavy and forlorn.
    Shade still felt a twinge of fear. She shook her head, and the sweat began to bead on her forehead. What is going on? She felt something hot pour over her, sticky as it clung like thick syrup. She felt her panic boil up inside. What is this? What’s happening?
    Ewan called out to the trees, “That’s enough of that now, the girl is harmless. She is with us. We are Guildrin Clan, en route to Teleen. Bring down your guard. We are invited.” Shade looked about, and saw nothing but tree bark and dirt. The wind gusts picked up and swooshed around her, bringing her hair to float around her like an aura. Shade stood with eyes wide and her heart jumping. The group unsheathed their swords and bow and arrows. They were readied and pointed. Pointed at what ? She felt something was near but couldn’t see anyone or anything.
    “Back down now or we will fight.”
    “You dare defy me , mistress of these woods? You should have asked me, not the Teleen to pass. You insult my authority. Queen Zinara grows careless of her lands, and she forgets me. Forgotten, I